A/N: Yes. Me. Late. Sorry. Don't throw things, 'kay? I...um...love you guys? (ducks) I'd give excuses, but, heck, I don't even feel like hearing myself whine. In any case, hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Also, happy birthmonth to sarahofearth! (Streamers, confetti, various noisemakers) Yay!

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Riley's thoughts were racing as he stared up into the eyes of his older brother. Rick was really there. He was really real and breathing and standing right in front of him! Ever since his brother had abandoned him without so much as a word when Riley was only eleven years old, the youngest Poole had dreamed of this moment. When Rick would come back, and he'd have some explanation, something to make it all make sense. Except there was also a part of him that was more scared than he could even admit that his big brother would tell him what he'd silently feared all along. It's your fault. He winced. Why did you leave, Rick? He couldn't ask the question. So instead he cleared his throat, trying to rid it of the lump that had settled there without his consent and blinked misty eyes. He was going for casual when he asked, "So how you been?"

That was all he could get out before his brother grabbed him up and hugged him tight. The man let out a slightly hysterical laugh that could've almost been a sob. "Good, kid. I've been okay. You?"

"Good," Riley nodded, trying to ignore the emotions pouring over him. He had to clear his throat again. "So...this is Ben. He's my friend."

Rick looked over Riley's shoulder to see the man and tossed him a wave. "We met briefly."

Ben's arms were crossed, and he was staring at Rick with an expression that didn't exactly scream friendliness. "Yeah. You want to tell us what's going on? Because as far as I know, family reunions don't usually start with a member of said family being pulled off the street at gunpoint."

Riley pulled away from his brother, shooting Ben a look. "Ben, take it easy. This is my brother."

"I'm very aware of that, Riley. I'm also very aware of the fact that he's been out of the picture for over a decade, and I have no idea what we're dealing with. Gunpoint, Riley." He looked at Rick. "Where are we going, and why are we going there?"

Rick held up his hands. "Look, you've got every right to be upset. But like I said, I had to do this to keep Riley safe."

"And the fact that your little brother just became a millionaire has nothing to do with why you've suddenly shown up out of the blue?" Ben asked, the insinuation clear. "Seems a little convenient."

"Ben, stop," Riley protested, shocked.

"Look, you've got me all wrong..."

"I want you to take us back to the motel, now. If you've got something to say, you can say it without the guns and the goons. I'm not buying this crap."

"Ben..."

There was a loud pop and squeal as the van suddenly swerved to the left, throwing all its passengers against the door. "What's going on?" Rick shouted to the driver.

"Tire blew out! Bet it's not an accident! I think someone just shot at us!"

Ben grabbed Riley as the van screeched to a halt. "Get ready to run!"

"No! What about Rick!"

"For all we know we should be running from Rick!"

"I don't believe that, Ben!"

Rick grabbed Riley from the other side, speaking urgently to Ben. "You don't want to run from me, man. I'm on your side!"

Before Ben could reply, the door to the van burst open, and three men with high-power rifles stood with weapons trained on them. A glance toward the driver saw him facing the same situation. "Don't move," one of the men said. He pointed to Riley. "You. Come with us."

"You just said not to move."

"Now."

Ben tightened his grip on Riley's arm. "Over my dead body."

A rifle cocked. Riley flinched. He turned to Ben. "Never say that again." With that, he shook off Ben's hand and Rick's and went to stand next to the men. "I guess I should probably be used to this by now, right?"

"Riley," Rick said, voice tight with anger and helplessness. "I'm going to come get you. Don't listen to anything he tells you."

Eyebrows knit, Riley shrugged, downplaying the fear and confusion that nearly had him in a strangle hold. He forced a smile. "Since when have I ever listened to anybody?" With that, the door slid shut.

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Ben turned and glared at the man next to him. "You start talking. Right now."

Rick was staring at the door to the van. He shook his head in frustration and looked at Ben. "What do you want me to say?"

"I want you to tell me what the heck is going on! I don't know if you noticed, but my best friend just got snatched at gunpoint again! Who were those men, and where are they taking him? And you better tell me the truth, man, because I swear..."

"Look," Rick interrupted. "I get that you're worried about him. I really appreciate you being worried for him. But this really doesn't have anything to do with you. I think it would be best for everyone if you get on your plane today and go home. I'm going to..."

"What?" Ben couldn't believe his ears. "What did you just say? I think you must be confused. I don't walk out on that kid. That was you. Remember?"

He thought he caught a brief flicker of pain flash across the man's eyes. Good. That was supposed to sting. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Then apparently neither does Riley. Because he's still blaming himself for your screw ups."

"Hey, man, I really don't expect you to understand, but I did what I did because I had to. I had no choice. And I happened to notice that Riley's not the one who's so angry. He knows I wouldn't do anything to hurt him. So I fail to see why you think you have the right to judge me. You don't even know me."

"Riley doesn't know how to be mad at you. He's too hurt to be mad at you. I don't have that problem. And I'm not talking about this anymore. I could care less about you or your problems. But it looks like whatever you just dragged my friend into could wind up getting him killed, and I am not going to wait around and let that happen, and I'm definitely not getting on a plane and leaving him in your oh-so-capable hands." There was a hard edge to his words. He was angry, upset, and scared. And this guy who'd caused his best friend so much pain had shown up out of the blue to cause trouble again. And Ben needed to know why. "Now I want you to tell me what's going on. Where are they taking him, and why?"

Instead of answering, Rick looked up toward the driver. "Trey, are they gone?"

"Just drove off," the man answered.

"Help me change the tire," Rick said. Ben gave him a look. "Hey, I'll tell you everything you need to know. But we have to get this van up and running. You want to help? Start now."

"Fine," Ben answered. "Lead the way."

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The black Oldsmobile drove up a long driveway. Riley had basically given up trying to get information from his captors, but once it had become apparent they weren't going to kill and/or maim him he'd settled for annoying them instead. He'd moved on from describing in detail the history of computer technology from 1941 to present day (after all, he figured, it always annoyed the heck out of him when Ben prattled on about history this and legend that) and had since found his niche singing "Eye of the Tiger" (complete with intro). Just loud enough to make the guy next to him's eye twitch.

"'And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and he's watching us all with the eye...'"

"We're here," the man next to him said as the car pulled to a stop. He couldn't have sounded more relieved. "Come this way, please."

Riley followed them willingly enough, letting his mouth keep humming along while his brain tried to process every bit of scenery. He knew exactly where they were, knew every turn they'd taken on the road, every landmark. That's the thing with being creatively obnoxious. If your captors are busy trying to ignore you because they think you're a moron, they'll probably underestimate your directional skills and the fact that you are indeed paying very close attention. Riley smiled to himself. Now all I have to do is wait for them to leave me alone long enough to call Ben. The reassuring weight of the very unconfiscated cell phone in his pocket kept the fear in his gut from making its way all the way up to his brain. I'll be fine, he told himself. Ben and Rick'll come get me. Rick'll tell me he's some sort of secret agent and that's why he had to leave and couldn't call or write or anything. All the bad guys will get arrested. All the wrongs will be righted. We'll all eat Chinese. Right. That was the plan.

They walked up the sidewalk of a plain-looking two-story house in a neighborhood that looked every bit of normal. As they entered, Riley stopped short. Deacon was standing there in the foyer, waiting for him. "Riley," he said anxiously. "Are you all right?"

Riley could only stare. Deacon? How...Why...? He shook his head and blinked. "Nope."

"Are you hurt?"

Again with the blinking and the head shaking. "Nope."

"Wh..." The man looked a little nonplussed. He obviously didn't know how to respond.

"My brother just pulled me away from my uncle at gunpoint. Then my uncle pulled me away from my brother at gunpoint. Tug of war sucks. What's going on?"

"Riley, there are some things I need to tell you. Things about Samuel. Things about your brother."

"I don't trust you," Riley said blankly.

The man's voice was slightly incredulous as he asked, "You trust Rick?"

"He's my brother."

"I'm your uncle. And to be honest, we both know your brother is every bit a stranger to you as I am. What makes his word so much more trustworthy than mine?"

The question wasn't spoken harshly, but it still made Riley wince. It had been fifteen years. But it was Rick. Rick was a good guy. He just...had to leave...for fifteen years. "He...hugged me," Riley finally answered.

Deacon's eyebrows rose, and the man suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Do you want me to hug you?"

"No. That's...okay."

"Okay." He quickly went on, "Riley, I'm going to tell you some things that I never wanted you to have to bear. They're going to be hard for you to hear. But I need you to listen to me. I didn't think Rick would come back, but now that he has, I can't hide you from this any longer. It would be too dangerous for you. Sit down. Please." He motioned toward the living room.

"Do I have a choice?"

"You always have a choice, Riley," the man said tiredly. "I'm not going to bring back the men with the guns if that's what you're asking."

"Why such an interest in me all the sudden? You were never around when it counted."

"I was always around when it counted. That's why you're standing here right now."

Riley studied him for a moment, trying to decode the cryptic statement. He was way too confused. "Okay, fine," he said at last. "But I still don't trust you."

"Young man, in this family, that's a wise choice. Come on." Deacon led him into the room and lowered himself into a chair. Riley took the couch opposite.

"This is your house?" Riley asked, looking around. He'd always assumed Deacon was more wealthy than that.

"One of them." Aha. Assumption: correct. "Can I get you something to drink at all?"

"No. Thanks. Look, this is a nice little reunion. Really. So I'll listen. But just say what you need to say and make it quick, okay? I've got people waiting for me." Ben would be freaking out by now. The thought made him want to smile. Ben was a worrier. But it was always kind of nice when he was the object of that worry. It made him feel...cared about or something. He wondered if Rick was a worrier. He could remember times when Rick got all overprotective-big-brother like Ben did. In those last couple of months after the beating, though, Rick had always seemed worried about something. But that was when it was like Riley had ceased to matter...

"I really don't know how to say this. But I've always been a man to say it like it is," Deacon began. "Riley, your Uncle Samuel was not the man you thought he was."

"That's not true," Riley immediately objected. "He was..."

"Just let me say this, son. I know you loved Samuel. I think he actually loved you, too. But he was into some things that have been tearing our family apart since before you were born."

"Not him," Riley insisted, fingers digging into the couch cushions.

Deacon went on as though he hadn't heard. "Samuel was a criminal. He was the leader of several drug rings. He killed several people. I'm sorry. There's just no way to break this to you gently."

Riley was already on his feet, fists clenched. "You...I don't even...you're wrong, Uncle Deacon. I don't know where you got your information. I don't even really care. But I'm not going to sit here and listen to this."

"Rick worked for him. After what happened when he was sixteen, when that boy was still so fragile and confused, Samuel took him in. Recruited him, really."

Riley turned to leave, but Deacon stood and grabbed his arm. "You said I could leave!" Riley objected.

"Samuel taught Rick too well. He knew your brother would eventually want control of his business. So he essentially collected enough evidence on Rick to blackmail him. He hid the evidence somewhere only he knew. And as long as he knew the location of that evidence, Rick couldn't have him killed."

"That's not true!"

"Maybe Samuel died in a hunting accident. Maybe he didn't. But now there's only one person who knows where that evidence is hidden. You, Riley."

Riley tugged on his arm, but his uncle held fast. He didn't want to hear anymore. He felt like a traitor for listening. It couldn't be true. None of it. It couldn't possibly be true. Uncle Samuel was a good man. He'd loved him. Rick was a good man, too. And even if Rick didn't love him, Rick had to still be a good guy. He needed his big brother to be a good guy. "I don't know anything! Enough! Let go!"

Deacon didn't. He spoke all the more urgently. "The letters, Riley. The location of the evidence is in the letters. And Rick knows that."

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As soon as they replaced the tire, Ben stood up and dusted himself off. Rick had let him know his suspicions that Deacon was behind the abduction, and had promised to tell him everything as soon as they got out on the road. The whole situation left a bad taste in Ben's mouth. Riley was in trouble. That much he knew. But he didn't know why. What was worse, he was sure Riley didn't even know why. You were right about one thing, kid. Your family is kind of weird. He spoke to Rick without turning around, "So can I assume you at least know where we're going?" The only answer was something hard crashing into the back of his skull. White hot pain shot through his head. He only had enough time to be scared and to call himself an idiot before everything went black.

Rick stood over the prone form, tire iron hanging from his hand. "I'm sorry, man. This is family business."

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A/N: Dun-Dun-Dun! If you liked this (or didn't), review, yeah? I'll really try my hardest to update quicker! Reviews inspire me:) Blessings!